Christian Counseling - To What Or Whom Should We Be Loyal?

Loyalty, as seen through the eyes of humor:

A grandmother was told by her grandson that her Sunday school teacher said Jesus was Jewish. The Presbyterian grandmother replied, "Well that may be, but I assure you, God is still a Presbyterian."

A wealthy old man was very enthusiastic about his lovely young bride, but sometimes wondered if she married him for his money. He asked her, "If I lost all my money, would you still love me?"
She retorted, "Of course I would still love you! Don't be silly. But I would miss you."

The loyalty of these protagonists is revealed to be short of what we know should be a greater loyalty - to people, above a denomination or money. But the question, loyalty to whom or what, becomes more difficult to figure out given certain circumstances.

"Blood is thicker than water" is an adage meaning family will be there, should be there for one another and supersedes the loyalty to non-family members. It appears most Christians still hold to this view. Some believe going against family for any reason is wrong and doing so should leave one feeling guilty over an obvious betrayal. However, the word betray refers to disloyalty that is treacherous and favors an enemy over one's family, friend, country, etc.

All of this begs the question, what is family? Is it the nuclear or extended members of our clan or is it any group to whom we are bonded, such as an organization or the human race? What is the family to which we should be most loyal? Consider what Jesus said that redefined the definition of family. Someone approached Jesus and said that his mother and brothers were outside, wanting to speak to Him. He replied, "'Who is My mother and who are My brothers?' And stretching His hand out toward His disciples, He said, 'Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.'"  (Matthew 12:46-50). Herein is our greater loyalty, a new family that is bound by Jesus' blood.

Yet, are there righteous occasions when our loyalty to the spiritual family should be abandoned? You don't think I am going to to say "No!" do you? Yes, there is an even greater loyalty that supersedes our new family. It is synonymous with God and is the foundation of righteousness. It is something that is at the top of the heap, at the very apex of any pedestal, and bows to no other. It is truth. If our loved ones are not living in truth and expect us to go along to protect the family, we are presented with a temptation and dilemma, but our allegiance to the truth, according to our understanding and conscience, trumps all other offers of loyalty. In that we can have confidence and freedom from guilt. In these situations, the priority is not people, but truth, because the people, who may be Christians, have abandoned the truth for falsehood, lies and self-preservation.
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It is a hard road that is too infrequently traveled, and most travel the road of truth alone. But God sees, knows and rejoices in those who live a life of integrity and maintain ultimate loyalties. He understands because Jesus traveled this road. Many of those who choose the higher road have experienced His sustaining gift of peace that passes understanding. To whom or what are you most loyal?